Entertainment device operable to retain and release at least one object inserted therein

ABSTRACT

An entertainment device, such as a toy, is provided with one or more internal cavities, at least a portion of which are accessible though at least one corresponding external opening, where at least one of the cavities is sized and configured to receive, through at least one external opening, at least a portion of an elongated object of a particular size and shape profile, and to releasably retain such a portion of an object inserted therein, until the user successfully performs a predetermined release activity to remove the inserted object portion therefrom. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the inventive device may be a hand-held toy representative of a character (e.g., an animal, creature, etc.) having a mouth opening, corresponding to at least one external opening, sized and configured to receive, and releasably retain in an internal cavity, a finger is inserted therein until a predetermined amount of pulling force is applied to the finger, and/or to pushing force to the opposite end of the toy—sufficient to remove the finger therefrom. In its other exemplary embodiments, the entertainment device may comprise one or more components for triggering one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of at least one object therein, and/or after removal of the object therefrom. In other alternate embodiments of the inventive device, at least one of insertion, removal, and/or manipulation of an inserted object in the device comprises at least one element in a broader entertainment activity, such as a game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61059817, filed 09 Jun. 2008, the entiretyof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to entertainment devices, andmore particularly to devices with one or more internal cavitiesaccessible though at least one corresponding external opening, having areleasable retaining component capable of engaging and retaining andreleasing at least one elongated object at least partially inserted intoat least one of said external openings to a sufficient predetermineddepth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Entertainment devices that facilitate and encourage physical interactiontherewith are especially popular as toys and/or novelties for bothchildren and adults. Of particular interest are entertainment devicesthat produce one or more unexpected and/or surprising results duringsuch interactions. Examples of such devices include, but are not limitedto, toys such as a “jack-in-the-box”, dolls that respond to certainactivities therewith, novelty items that produce unexpected sounds undercertain conditions, etc. A subset of such “unexpected results”interactive includes certain puzzle devices requiring physicalinteraction therewith for both utilization and solution thereof. Forexample, the age-old “Chinese finger trap” puzzle device traps two ofthe users fingers in an elongated cylinder configured such that thedevice tightens in response to the user's attempts to remove theirfingers therefrom, requiring the user to figure out a certain solution(i.e., a series of necessary steps) to free themselves from the device.

While physical interactive puzzle-type devices have a number ofappealing characteristics, their entertainment value is limited in thatonce the user reaches, or is informed of, a solution to the puzzle,there is little motivation for the user to continue interactingtherewith. Furthermore, the vast majority of such puzzles are focused onthe puzzle itself with little or no regard to providing the device withadditional entertainment value.

With respect to non-puzzle interactive entertainment devices, theylikewise suffer from certain limitations to the types of supportedinteractive activities. Typically, such activities involve physicalmanipulation of the device's position (e.g., waving, dropping, throwing,rolling, shaking, rocking, and/or otherwise repositioning the device),and/or manipulation of one or more portions of the device itself (e.g.,activating controls on the device, moving or shifting a device element(for example, moving a doll's legs into a sitting position), squeezing,or striking the device, etc.). Over the years, all of theabove-described interaction activities have become quite expected androutine for the vast majority of interactive entertainment devices. As aresult, both puzzle-oriented entertainment devices and interactive toysface a number of challenges in capturing and, more importantly,maintaining the user's interest (especially when the user is a child).

It would thus be desirable to provide an entertainment device thatcombines the best features of puzzle-type devices with the appeal ofinteractive toys and similar entertainment devices.

It would further be desirable to provide an entertainment device thatenables at least one interaction therewith having an unexpected resultin response thereto. It would additionally be desirable to provide anentertainment device that provides at least one puzzle-basedinteractivity feature operable to activate or deactivate at least oneother entertainment device feature.

It would also be desirable to provide an entertainment device thatprovides at least one puzzle-related interactive feature themed inaccordance with at least one other entertainment activity (such as anelectronic, board, or computer game).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote correspondingor similar elements throughout the various figures:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of theentertainment device of the present invention, comprising an externalopening and a corresponding internal cavity sized and configured toreceive retain and release an elongated object inserted therein;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a second exemplary embodiment ofinventive entertainment device of FIG. 1, having a plurality of externalopenings and corresponding internal cavities sized and configured toreceive retain and release an elongated object inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of theentertainment device of the present invention, comprising at least oneadditional component for triggering one or more events (audio, visual,mechanical, etc.) prior to, and/or during insertion of at least oneobject therein, and/or after removal of the object therefrom; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of an alternate exemplary embodiment ofthe inventive entertainment device of FIG. 1, 2 or 3, further comprisingat least one external feature and/or at least one external component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The entertainment device of the present invention remedies the drawbacksof previously known puzzle-based novelties and interactive toys, in thatit comprises at least one puzzle-like interactive feature having apotentially unexpected result in response to interaction by the usertherewith.

In one embodiment of the present invention, shown by way of example inFIG. 1, the inventive entertainment device (such as a toy) is providedwith one or more internal cavities, at least a portion of which areaccessible though at least one corresponding external opening, where atleast one of the cavities is sized and configured to receive, through atleast one external opening, at least a portion of an elongated object ofa particular size and shape profile (for example a user's finger), andto retain and release such a portion of an object inserted therein,until the user successfully performs a predetermined release activity toremove the inserted object portion therefrom. Other embodiments of theinventive entertainment device are described in greater detail below inconnection with the drawing FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

It should be noted that while the various exemplary embodiments of theinventive entertainment device are shown and described with reference toa generic “toy”, the inventive entertainment device may be implementedas any object or device with virtually any theme—from book, movie,cartoon, comic book, or videogame characters, to animals or imaginarycreatures, to robots, spaceships, various vehicles and so on. As long asthe theme of the entertainment device can structurally support having atleast one opening therein for receiving retaining therein and thenreleasing at least one elongated object (e.g., a user's finger), such atheme may be implemented in the inventive entertainment device, as amatter of design choice without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In addition, in the various drawing figures and accompanyingdescriptions herein, various entertainment device shapes, elements,components and features that may be provided in accordance with thepresent invention, are shown by way of example only, and shall not serveas a limitation on what type of shapes, elements, components andfeatures of an entertainment device may be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the inventiveentertainment device 10 is shown. By way of example only, the device 10may be a small hand-held toy, with the appearance of an animal or animaginary creature, having a main body 12 that is preferably shaped andconfigured to be resilient and optionally covered with an outer materialthat is comfortable to the touch (e.g., plush or other texturedmaterial), and comprising an internal cavity 14 accessible through anopening 16 in the body 12. Preferably, the internal cavity 14 contains areleasable retaining component 18 operable to retain and release anyappropriately sized and shaped elongated object 8 (e.g., a human finger)inserted therein until a predetermined “release activity”, involvingmanipulation of at least one of the device 10 and of the object 8, isperformed. For example, the release activity may comprise, but is notlimited to, application of pulling force of sufficient magnitude to theobject 8 in the direction generally away from the opening 16, along witha pushing force to the opposite end of the object 8. The exactconfiguration and nature of the retaining component 18 is not crucial tothe present invention and may be selected, sized, shaped, and/orconfigured as a matter of design choice, convenience, and/or necessitywithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Preferably, in at least one embodiment of the entertainment device ofthe present invention, the information that an object inserted into thedevice will be retained therein, and that a specific release activity isnecessary to enable the user of the device to remove an objectedinserted therein, is not communicated to the user prior to insertion ofthe object by the user. As a result, the user is likely to be surprisedthat an inserted object is retained in the device, and the requiredrelease activity must then be discovered by the user (and/or by one ormore other individuals present with the user) through experimentation(e.g., by manipulation of, and/or play) with the device. In this manner,the fact that an object inserted into the device is retained thereinserves as an “unexpected” result of an interaction with the device,while discovering the release activity serves as a puzzle-likeinteraction that is likely to maintain the user's interest in thedevice.

Optionally, the device 10, its size, shape, and configuration, as wellas the various components and elements thereof, may be themed in amanner to relate its appearance, functionality and capabilities to oneor more predefined “backgrounds” relevant thereto. For example, thedevice 10 may be shaped like an imaginary creature (e.g., called a“Gulper”) with a “background” that the creature eats “virtuallyanything”. In this case, the opening 16 may be configured as a mouth,such that when a user inserts their finger (or other elongated object)into the mouth the “Gulper” retains and releases the finger (or otherobject) therein, thereby being consistent with an exemplary theme (e.g.,that a “Gulper eats anything, even you”).

Referring to FIG. 2, a second exemplary embodiment of the inventiveentertainment device, is shown as a device 30 which may comprise a mainbody 32 of a different shape from the body 12 of the device 10 of FIG.1, and which may comprise two or more internal cavities 36 a, 36 b,accessible through corresponding openings 34 a, 34 b, and eachcomprising respective releasable retaining components 38 a, 38 b. Inthis manner the device 30 can support insertion and releasable retainingof two or more elongated objects (8 a, 8 b) 10 therein (e.g., from asingle user, or from multiple users thereof). Advantageously, each ofthe components 38 a, 38 b may have the same, or a different releaseactivity associated therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a third exemplary embodiment the inventiveentertainment device, is shown as a device 50 which comprises a mainbody 52 (for example such as the body 12 of the device 10 of FIG. 1),and which includes an internal cavity 54, accessible through acorresponding opening 56 and comprising a releasable retaining component58 having a predetermined release activity associated therewith. In thisembodiment of the invention, the device 50 preferably includes one ormore components 60 to 64, that may be disposed 20 within the body 52,operable to trigger one or more events (audio, visual, mechanical, etc.)prior to, and/or during insertion of the object 8 into the cavity 54,and/or after removal of the object 8 therefrom. For example, component60, when activated, may provide audio cues to the user to insert theobject 8 into the opening 56, while component 62 provides a mechanicalevent (e.g. vibration) while the object 8 is inserted into the cavity54, and component 64 provides visual and/or audio events (for exampleflashing lights on the outside of the body 52, and our playback of oneor more audio clips) when a user causes the retaining component 58 torelease the object 8 and to remove the object 8 therefrom. In otheralternate embodiments of the inventive device 50, at least one ofinsertion, removal, and/or manipulation of the inserted object 8 in thedevice 50 comprises at least one element in a broader entertainmentactivity, such as a game.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate exemplary embodiment of theinventive entertainment device is shown as a device 100 which comprisesa main body 102 and which may be the same as one or more of thepreviously described inventive device embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3,except that it also includes one or more external features 104 (such aseyes, decorative features, etc.), and/or one or more external components106 (such as controls for activating, deactivating, and/or otherwiseinterfacing with, one or more integral components (e.g., components60-64 of the device 50 of FIG. 3)).

In other exemplary embodiments not shown, both internal cavity 14accessible through a corresponding opening 16, opening 16 and retainingcomponent 18 may all may be an insert formed of an elastomeric gelhaving a “fantasy animal” flesh-like texture or tactile feel. It ispreferably formed from a mixture of plasticizing oil and a blockcopolymer or other elastomer that combines with oil in the same mannergenerically referred to as SEBS gels. One source of elastomeric gels isdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,284; 4,618,213;5,153,254; 5,262,468; 5,334,646; and 5,336,708. These patents describe avariety of elastomeric gelatinous compositions using an admixture ofpoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymers havingstyrene end block to ethylene and butylene center blocks with variousratios as disclosed, plus high levels of plasticizing oils ranging from300 to 1600 parts of oil per 100 parts of copolymer. Of course, with awide range for the oil to polymer ratio, products having many differentproperties are produced, depending on the specific ratio chosen. For thepurposes of this invention, a gel may be produced using the generalresilience and hardness of animal, preferably human flesh as that willbe most familiar to the intended user of the amusement toy disclosedherein.

Preferred elastomeric gels also comprise a styrene-ethylenepropylene-styrene block copolymers, hereinafter called SEPS, that arehighly extended with oil such as mineral oil, such that the ratio ofSEBS to oil is carefully controlled to simulate the tactile feel offlesh. Preferred are SEPS polymers having a number average molecularweight of at least 150,000 to 200,000. The SEPS is highly extended withoil such as mineral oil, so the ratio of SEPS to oil is carefullycontrolled to have a flesh-like feel. White mineral oil, naphthenicoils, and synthetic oils are preferred. Other oils include petroleumparaffinic oils, petroleum naphthenic oils, synthetic polybutene oils,synthetic polypropene oils, synthetic polyterpene oils and mixturesthereof.

The most preferred gel for use with the present invention is a mixtureof plasticizing oil and a block copolymer selected from styrene ethylenebutylene styrene block (SEBS) copolymers and styrene ethylene propylenestyrene (SEPS) block copolymers. Preferred are mixtures of both blockcopolymers in a ratio of 1:5 to 5:1, with about 1:1 being mostpreferred. Particularly preferred are gels formed from a mixture of 5-9%by weight of the block copolymer and 90-94% by weight of theplasticizing oil, of course with trace amounts of pigments and fillers.

The gel that is used for cavity 14, opening 16 and retaining component18 may also be coated with various materials to assist in optimizing thesurface characteristics for the intended purposes, as long as the gelhas the resilience and hardness that is desired, such as by dusting withfine corn starch powder, amorphous silica powder, sodium aluminosilicateor talc. Other coating composition such as those described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,164,231, U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,391 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,440,incorporated herein by reference may also be employed in the presentinvention. Additionally, the interior surface of opening 16 andretaining component 18 may include ridges, raised surfaces and orhardened areas or may be impregnated with less resilient materials so asto simulate teeth, gills, scales or physical characteristics thatcoincide with the creature depicted to increase fantasy level play andenjoyment of the toy.

Other components may also be added, such as pigments such as titaniumdioxide and dyes of various colors such as dye to render the appearancethe in color of the creature depicted. Surface tackiness may be reducedby dusting with fine corn starch, or other materials may be added suchas a wax or polypropylene homopolymers to reduce surface tack. All thatis needed is that the elastomeric gel has a flesh-like feel and can bemolded into a shape for use with and preferably within the main body 12.

In embodiments using elastomeric gels, it will be appreciated thatretaining component 18 may be molded using conventional moldingtechniques. Typically, a metal shaft may be used in the center of theinsert during molding to provide a central portion 16 to accommodate theappendage, typically a finger, of a user. As noted in FIGS. 1-4 openingsimulates a mouth of a fantasy animal or creature. It may,alternatively, simulate another orifice or have no appearance other thanthe opening that is to be used depending upon the intended end use orassociated game play of the product. The degree of replication of thevisual aspects of the orifice is a matter of choice, depending in parton the intended use.

It will also be appreciated that in embodiments employing elastomericgels, retaining component 18 may achieve the desired sensation ofretention by the displacement of the internal surfaces by the objectinserted and the resultant frictional “gripping” of the gel on theobject, by the displacement of air upon insertion of the object and theresultant slight vacuum that may be created or by the creation of adisplacement vacuum with a one-way value that permits air to exit fromthe retaining component or through a combination of any or all of theforegoing. The principal objective is to maintain the puzzle-likeinteractive feature having a potentially unexpected result in responseto interaction by the user therewith.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed outfundamental novel features of the inventive system and method as appliedto preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variousomissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of thedevices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinationsof those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to achieve the same resultsare within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore,to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appendedhereto.

1. An entertainment apparatus operable for use with at least oneelongated object controlled by a user, comprising: a main body of apre-defined size, shape and appearance; at least one opening in saidbody sized and shaped to receive the at least one elongated objectinserted therethrough; at least one cavity defined in said main body,communicating with said at least one opening; and at least onereleasable retaining component, disposed within said at least onecavity, having at least one open portion for receiving at least oneelongated object therethrough, said at least one open portion beingsized and positioned to correspond to said at least one opening,wherein, when the at least one object is inserted through said at leastone opening and through said at least one open portion into said atleast one releasable retaining component, such that the object is atleast partially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasableretaining component is operable to retain and release at least a portionof the inserted object therewithin, until a predetermined releaseactivity, comprising interaction with at least one of the object and theentertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least onereleasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said atleast a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enableremoval of the object from the entertainment apparatus.
 2. Theentertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said main body comprises ahand-held toy depicting a creature, and wherein said at least oneopening comprises a mouth opening defined on said creature.
 3. Theentertainment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the object comprises a humandigit, wherein said at least one releasable retaining component is sizedand configured to receive and retain therein, and release, at least aportion of the human digit, and wherein said predefined release activitycomprises application of a sufficient amount of pulling force to atleast one of said main body and the at least partially inserted humandigit, in conjunction with a sufficiently forceful pushing force to theopposite end of the object.
 4. The entertainment apparatus of claim 2,wherein said hand-held toy main body is composed of a resilientmaterial.
 5. The entertainment apparatus of claim 4, wherein saidresilient material further comprises a textured outer coating.
 6. Theentertainment apparatus of claim 5, wherein said textured outer coatingcomprises a plush cover.
 7. An entertainment apparatus operable for usewith at least one elongated object controlled by a user, comprising: amain body of resilient material having at least one opening; at leastone releasable retaining component, securely disposed within said bodysized and in communication with said opening, said retaining componentshaped to receive an elongated object; wherein, when the at least oneobject is inserted through said opening into said at least onereleasable retaining component, such that the object is at leastpartially disposed therewithin, said at least one releasable retainingcomponent is operable to retain and release at least a portion of theinserted object therewithin, until a predetermined release activity,comprising interaction with at least one of the object and theentertainment apparatus, is performed, such that said at least onereleasable retaining component is thereafter operable to release said atleast a portion of the inserted object therefrom and thereby enableremoval of the object from the entertainment apparatus.
 8. Theentertainment apparatus of claim 7 wherein said main body comprises adepiction of an animal, and wherein said at least one opening comprisesan opening defined on said animal.
 9. The entertainment apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the object comprises a human appendage, wherein said atleast one releasable retaining component is sized and configured toreceive and retain therein, and to release, at least a portion of thehuman appendage, and wherein said predefined release activity comprisesapplication of a sufficient amount of force to said main body and the atleast partially inserted human appendage, in conjunction with asufficiently forceful pushing force to the opposite end of object. 10.The entertainment apparatus of claim 9 wherein said main body furthercomprises a textured outer coating depicting a body orifice of saidanimal.
 11. An amusement toy comprising: an animal body having a headcomprising an elastically deformable resilient material providing atleast a partial facial image; an elastically deformable toy mouthforming a part of said facial image, said mouth comprising an apertureprovided in said head which is at least partially surrounded by saidelastically deformable material of said head, said mouth sized andshaped to receive at least one elongated object inserted therethrough;at least one cavity defined in said animal body, communicating with saidmouth; and at least one releasable retaining component, disposed withinsaid at least one cavity, having at least one open portion for receivingsaid object therethrough, said at least one open portion being sized andpositioned to correspond to said mouth, wherein, when the at least oneobject is inserted through said mouth and through said at least one openportion into said at least one releasable retaining component, such thatthe object is at least partially disposed therewithin, whereby saidmouth is deformed, thereby altering said facial image, said at least onereleasable retaining component is operable to retain and release atleast a portion of the inserted object therewithin, until apredetermined release activity, comprising interaction with at least oneof the object and the amusement toy, is performed, such that said atleast one releasable retaining component is thereafter operable torelease said at least a portion of the inserted object therefrom andthereby enable removal of the object from the entertainment apparatusand whereby said mouth returns to substantially an undeformed dimensionby a removal of said object.